Poroshenko ready to discuss association deal implementation with Russia, EU

World June 27, 2014, 20:02

Poroshenko said at a press conference in Brussels on Friday he “believed in the success” of three-party ministerial consultations between Ukraine, Russia and the EU

BRUSSELS, June 27. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Friday he was ready to negotiate the consequences of the Ukraine-European Union association deal with the Russian and EU leaders.

Ukraine’s newly-elected president signed on Friday the economic part of the country’s association and free trade agreement with the EU.

Poroshenko said at a press conference in Brussels on Friday he “believed in the success” of three-party ministerial consultations between Ukraine, Russia and the EU that would start in the Belgian capital on July 11.

The Ukrainian president also confirmed that Ukraine, Russia and the EU were planning to hold expert consultations on July 3-4 ahead of the ministerial negotiations.

“I’m confident that when they [experts] carry out preparatory work, we’ll be able to discuss this issue at the level of the heads of state,” Poroshenko said.

“I’m confident that we’ll be able to find a solution. This agreement is not aimed against anyone and Ukraine can be a bridge for Russian goods in EU countries,” Poroshenko said.

“Ukraine does not intend to quit the markets where it is present today, including the Russian market,” the Ukrainian president said.

However, Moscow believes that this decision may cause an uncontrolled flow of European goods into the Russian market through re-exports via Ukraine, which is currently a member of a free trade zone of the CIS countries.

Russia has warned that it may take measures to protect its producers. Moscow has no plans to sign any free trade deals with the European Union in the foreseeable future.

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